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Mixed informal gardens with abundant herbaceous borders and flowering shrubs. Lawns and paths lead through mature camellia, magnolia and rhododendron under-planted with vinca ‘major’, white daffodils, trillium etc (this area is attractive, natural and wild, but no longer in flower by June). There are also beautiful views over surrounding fields, woodland and hills, woodland walks, azaleas etc. and a vegetable garden.

Saturday 31 May and Sunday 1st June 2 – 5pm

A delightful, mature garden of over one acre has extended over the years – even across the road. It is featured in BBC Television’s Secret Garden series and is described and illustrated in Shirley Lanigan’s ‘The 100 Best Gardens in Ireland’. The curving beds are colourful tapestries of trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants. There is a pond and bog garden with masses of Iris and candelabra primula, fruit trees, vegetables, well-filled greenhouses and a small hardy plant nursery.

Partially suitable for wheelchairs. Location: Killyfaddy Road is the second left off the Moneymore Road from the centre of Magherafelt.

No 28 is one mile from the end of this road and is situated at the top of a hill on the left hand side after the wind turbine. Plant Stall

JUNE

Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 2 – 5pm

Mr Sam Harrison, “Beechgrove”, 12 Castle Avenue, Castlewellan,

Co. Down, BT31 9DX.

A plantsman’s garden developed over a period of 30 years. Year round interest is maintained with its wide range of colourful and unusual plants. The garden is arranged in peninsulas of trees and shrubs which jut onto the lawns, providing attractive vistas and shelter to many specimen plants. Features include a fishpond, summer house, island beds and a woodland walk. Selected seating enhances the benefits of the scented plants. The garden is wildlife friendly, with birds and butterflies in abundance. Mostly suitable for wheelchairs.

Location: Located within Castlewellan Forest Park. The garden entrance is the first road on the left (approx. 200 metres) inside the main gates. Castlewellan Forest Park is signposted in the centre of Castlewellan town. Plant Stall

Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 2 – 5pm

Mr and Mrs J Rafferty, The Mill House, 140 Ballynashee Road,

Glenwherry, Ballymena, Co. Antrim, BT42 3EW.

On the banks of the Glenwherry River is a five acre country garden which has been transformed over 20 years from hill farmland to wooded haven. There are two large ponds fed from the weir by an old mill race. The larger pond (approx. 0.5 acre) has a jetty, an island and is home to brown trout and a collection of water lilies and aquatic marginals. It is surrounded by raised stone beds filled with hundreds of primulas, hostas and other mixed planting to give all year interest. A series of woodland planting of beech, birch, spruce and 150 rhododendrons are linked by stone paths with seats at points of particular interest. Partially suitable for wheelchairs.

Location: The garden is situated on the Ballynashee Road, half a mile from the main Ballymena/Larne Road (A36). Approx. 10 miles from Ballymena and 10 miles from Larne. From Ballyclare: Take the Colin Road (B94) to the Five Corners pub. Take second road on the right (Sawmills Road). Drive approx. one mile to crossroads and turn left onto Ballynashee Road. Drive 2.8 miles to bridge, garden is on the left. From Broughshane: Take Rathkeel Road (B94) towards Ballyclare. After approx. 6 miles at T junction turn left onto A35. After approx. three miles turn right onto Ballynashee Road. House on right. (Please park on Ballynashee Road.) Plant Stall/ Teas

JULY

Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 2 – 5pm

A mature garden of three acres on an historic site. To the front of the Georgian rectory is a large lawn with mature trees, an ancient well and a developing woodland garden with a small fernery. To the rear of the house is another large lawn with contrasting borders of roses, herbaceous plants and shrubs, as well as an attractive pond area. A wooden rustic fence separates the long herbaceous border from the kitchen garden, with greenhouse, herb, vegetable and fruit gardens. Beyond the lawn is a large old orchard with an ancient apple tree at its centre, as well as an experimental area with wildflowers and annuals. Partially suitable for wheelchairs.

Location: From Ballymena: Take A26 towards Ballymoney. On Ballymoney by-pass go straight on at Kilraughts Road roundabout then take 2nd right onto B66 signposted Dervock. Enter Dervock and turn left (B66) signposted Bushmills. Continue on this road, go through Derrykeighan. Approx. 2.3 miles after Derrykeighan at Castlecat turn right signposted Billy 0.5 mile and then immediately fork left onto Haw Road. Continue to the Church, turn right onto Cabragh Road, garden is on the right. From Coleraine: Take Ballycastle Road (B67) At T junction turn right and then next left, Benvarden Road. At Derrykeighan turn left, signposted Bushmills and on to Castlecat, from there as above. Plant Stall/Teas

AUGUST

Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 2 – 5pm

Maurice and Joy have designed and created a beautiful and unique Ulster Cottage Garden where the built and natural heritage combines with horticultural excellence to stunning effect. This six acre garden has one of the biggest collections of cottage garden plants in Northern Ireland and has been featured in Shirley Lanigan’s book ‘The 100 Best Gardens in Ireland’. Partially suitable for wheelchairs. www.ballyrobertcottagegarden.co.uk

Location: Situated on the edge of Ballyrobert village on B59 between Corrs Corner roundabout at Glengormley and Ballyclare.

Plants available from the adjacent Nursery/Teas served in the Garden Tea Room

Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 2 – 5pm

This garden covers approx. one acre and has a variety of heathers and attractive shrubs at the entrance with pathways for interesting viewing. A Korean fir tree in the middle of the garden hosts a red Tropoaeolum. It has a wide range of herbaceous plants and a fine example of a Monkey Puzzle tree. There is an extensive fruit and vegetable growing area. Wheelchair access is limited.

Location: Situated on the Comber to Killyleagh Road about 5 miles from Comber and 0.25 miles from Balloo village. Car parking available – follow the signs.

Plant Stall/Teas

NOVEMBER

Ulster Gardens Scheme Review Evening

Thursday 20 November 2014 at 7.30pm at the Old Courthouse, Antrim.

Join members of the Ulster Gardens Scheme Committee and garden owners for our very popular annual review, when we look back at another successful season’s garden visiting on behalf of the National Trust, and enjoy a light supper.

An admission charge of £5.00 per person will be made, to avoid a drain on National Trust funds.